GEORGE WASHINGTON 1789-1797

1. GEORGE WASHINGTON1789-1797

2. George Washington’s Presidency • April 30, 1789Washington (Virginia) is inaugurated (sworn in) as President. John Adams (Mass.) becomes the Vice-President.

3. George Washington’s Presidency • Washington establishes many governmental precedents. PRCEDENT:an example that would become a standard practice.

4. Establishment of the Court System • Federal Judiciary Act of 1789:passed by Congress. • Created an independent federal court system with the Supreme Court and lower level courts.

5. The U.S. Supreme Court is to have a Chief Justice and five associate justices.Currently we have 9 total justices. • Washington appointsJohn Jayas Chief Justice.

6. Establishment of the Presidential Cabinet • The Constitution allows Congress to create departments to help the President – the Cabinet. • The first Presidential Cabinet had four departments:

7. The First Presidential Cabinet • Secretary of War(Henry Knox) oversee the nation’s defenses.

8. The First Presidential Cabinet • Secretary of State (Thomas Jefferson)oversee the relations between the U.S. and other countries.

9. The First Presidential Cabinet • Secretary of the Treasury(Alexander Hamilton)to manage the government’s money.

10. The First Presidential Cabinet • Attorney General (Edmond Randolph)to advise the government on legal matters.

11. Hamilton’s Financial Plan NOTE: Alexander Hamilton believed that the federal government should be stronger than the state governments.

12. Hamilton’s Financial Plan • Pay off the war debt to develop the trust of other nations for trade. • Raise the federal government’s revenues through tariffs and taxes. TARIFFS–a tax on imported goods.

13. Hamilton’s Financial Plan • Tariffs would… • encourage the growth of American industry (buy American-made). • raise money for the federal government.

14. Hamilton’s Financial Plan • Create a NATIONAL BANK: • safe place to keep the government’s money. • can make loans to businesses. • would issue paper currency. • strengthen the federal government.

15. Debate on Interpretation of the Constitution • STRICT CONSTRUCTION:only what the Constitution clearly states – favored by Jefferson and Madison. • LOOSE CONSTRUCTION:the Constitution should be flexible to meet the needs of the country (Elastic Clause) – favored by Hamilton and Adams. • Jefferson and Hamilton argue these points on the creation of the National Bank.

16. Major Events DuringWashington’s Presidency • Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)the American army defeats a confederation of Indians over tension in the Northwest Territory. • Treaty of Greenville (1795)12 tribes cede much of present-day Ohio and Indiana to the U.S. government.

17. Major Events DuringWashington’s Presidency • The Whiskey Rebellion (1794)PA farmers refused to pay the tax until the American army enforces it. This upholds the power of the new federal government.

18. Major Events DuringWashington’s Presidency • The French Revolution (1789-1793)the French people overthrow the French monarchy by executing King Louis XVI. • Neutrality – the U.S. would not side with any European country in wartime.

19. Ouch! King Louis XVI

20. Major Events DuringWashington’s Presidency • Pinckney’s Treaty(1795)Spain gave the Americans the right to freely travel on the Mississippi River and use the port of New Orleans.

21. Washington Retires • Established the precedent of only a two-term presidency, which becomes the22ndAmendment in1951.